Perhaps the most practical question for anyone starting to plan a trip is: how many days will I need? The answer determines everything, from the vacation time you request from work to the budget for your adventure.
The truth is, there’s no single number. How long it takes to complete the Camino de Santiago depends on the route you choose , your starting point, your pace, and how many kilometers you’re willing to walk each day. In this article, we provide clear guidelines for each route and help you realistically estimate the duration of your Camino. Then you can plan with confidence.
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What does the duration depend on?
Before looking at the numbers, it’s worth understanding what makes the total time vary:
- The chosen route and its total length.
- The starting point , since you can do the entire Way or just the final stretch.
- Your daily pace , that is, how many kilometers you walk per day.
- The rest days you decide to include in the middle of the journey.
- The travel days , both to reach the starting point and to return from Santiago.
This last point is often overlooked when planning. If you only have a week, allow at least one day for commuting and don’t waste it walking .
How many kilometers per day?
The most common average is between 20 and 25 kilometers per day. This is a sustainable pace for most people with reasonable fitness, and roughly corresponds to five or six hours of walking with breaks.
There’s no obligation to stick to that average. Those who walk more calmly, with children, or with older children may prefer 15 km stages. Those with experience and good physical condition can reach 30 km. The important thing is to listen to your body and not turn the walk into a race, because things can go wrong in the final stages…
Here’s a tip that saves you a lot of trouble: start slowly . Riding 30 km on the first day is the most common recipe for tendinitis and blisters that ruin the rest of your ride.
How long does it take to walk the Camino de Santiago? Duration by route.
These are approximate guidelines for someone walking at an average pace. They are useful for planning, but adjust them to your own situation:
For Portuguese pilgrims, the Portuguese Way from Porto or Tui is usually the most natural choice, as it is close and accessible. It is no coincidence that Porto and Tui are among the most used starting points of the entire Camino de Santiago, right after Sarria.
The minimum to obtain the Compostela
If your goal is to receive the Compostela certificate, you need to walk at least the last 100 kilometers to Santiago, or cycle 200 km. In practice, this translates to about 5 to 7 days of walking.
That’s why starting points like Sarria (on the French Way), Tui (on the Central Portuguese Way) or Vigo (on the Coastal Way ) are so popular: they allow you to fulfill the requirement in a period compatible with a week’s vacation .
Remember that, in this final stretch, you need two stamps per day on your pilgrim’s credential . We explain everything in where to stamp your pilgrim’s credential .
Read also: Is it safe to do the Camino de Santiago?
How many days for each 100 km stretch?
If you have a week and want to obtain the Compostela certificate, these are the most common options for those departing from Portugal:
- Tui to Santiago , approximately 115 km, in 5 to 6 stages.
- From Vigo to Santiago along the coast, approximately 100 km, in 4 to 5 stages.
- Ferrol to Santiago , the English Way, approximately 120 km, in 5 to 6 stages.
- From Sarria to Santiago , approximately 115 km, in 5 to 6 stages.
Note: add one day to get to the starting point and another to return, and you have a very busy week.
And by bicycle?
By bicycle, travel times are significantly reduced. As a reference, many cyclists cover between 50 and 80 km per day. The complete French Way, for example, usually takes about two weeks.
Remember that, when cycling, the minimum distance for the Compostela increases to the final 200 km, and the requirement for two daily stamps on that stretch remains.
Rhythm, age and rest
The duration isn’t the same for everyone, and that’s a good thing. Age, physical condition, and the willingness to stop and visit villages and monuments all influence the number of days.
Don’t be afraid to plan shorter stages or include a rest day. A well-paced Camino, especially in the first few days, prevents injuries and makes the experience much more enjoyable .
A good practice is to plan your route with a slack section at the end. If all goes well, you gain a day to visit Santiago at your leisure. If a bubble appears or there’s a day of heavy rain, you have room to adjust without stress.
A calendar reminder: the Holy Year of 2027
The year 2027 is a Holy Year of Compostela because July 25th falls on a Sunday. The Holy Door opens on December 31st, 2026, and remains open all year round.
For those planning, this means one very concrete thing: more pilgrims, more demand for beds, and less space to improvise. If you plan to walk in 2027, especially between June and September, book accommodation well in advance and consider alternative routes in case your planned hostel is full.
Conversely, the months with lower visitor numbers , such as February, March, or November, offer a much quieter Camino, with the trade-off of shorter days and more rain.
Conclusion: plan ahead, proceed calmly.
How long it takes to complete the Camino de Santiago is basically your decision. Between the five days of the minimum distance and the five weeks of the complete Camino, there is an option tailored to each person and each schedule.
The next step is to choose the route and the number of days you can set aside, and from there plan the stages with some leeway. Then, it’s time to take care of your pilgrim’s credential , prepare your backpack with the help of our list of materials , and choose the right footwear for the route . After that, just let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of the Way. Buen Camino.
